The positivity rate in Cass County this morning is at 21.1 percent. We are second-highest in the state, due in part to an outbreak in a local care facility, one my students used to visit on Community Service Day to interview the residents, wash windows, help with crafts. It is a lovely, loving place for 90 beloved grandmas, grandpas, mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. Yesterday's news report said the facility has 23 active COVID cases.
The Cass County public health director cautions that the increase in Atlantic's positivity is not only from the care center: "We're seeing a wide range (of cases) from kids to older adults, coming up now at a very alarming rate." She said community spread is up because people are not recognizing COVIDsymptoms: "By the time they get tested, they've walked around for the whole time with COVID." “We are seeing a lot more people that don’t think it’s COVID, and by the time they get tested, they’ve walked around for the whole time with COVID."
Masks, anyone?
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This morning I'm taking my mother-in-law to Omaha for her root canal. We were able to request that the evaluation and procedure are taken care of during a single visit to minimize the number of trips to the city. She'll have her post-op exam here in Atlantic (where the COVID positivity rate is 21.1 %, remember?)
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My friend who is teaching totally online to remote learners in Des Moines is at her wit's end. Her students don't want to turn on their cameras while Zooming, so she teaches to a blank computer screen. Students keep themselves on mute, preferring to answer minimally in the chat space.
Last night she called to brainstorm ideas for engagement in this strangest of times. Her entire teaching style is based on relationships and interactivity. She said she feels like she's in a bad romance: giving and giving to a "boyfriend" who ignores her.
Today she said she'll sing to her class until they turn their cameras on. Her lyrics are something like "If you want the singing to stop, you'll need to turn your cameras on! I can sing all hour if need be...."
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Enough.
Be well.
Write.
Allison
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| My son holding his son |
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